Apparatus for testing water and other liquids



Sept. 2, 1941. A. L. RIGHE APPARATUS FOR TESTING WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS [R Qa@ Q .www mow FOR TESTNG WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS APPARATUS Filed Sep'u. l5, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 APPARATUS FGR TESTING WATER AND OTHER LQUIDS Filed Sept. l5, 1935 6 Shee's-S`neei; 4

Anh...

my wf" -7 Sept. 2, 1941. A. l.. RIGHE 2,254,782 APPARATUS FOR TESTING WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS Fil'ed Sept. 13, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 v Wg Sept. 2, 1941. A. L. RIGHE 2,2545732 APPARATUS FOR TSTING WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS Filed Sept. 13, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 raient-ed sept. 2, 1941 I APPARATUS FOR. TESTING WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS Arthur L. Biche, Freeport, Ill.

Application September 13, 1935, Serial No.

3 Claims. (Cl. 88-14) This invention relatespspecliically testing devices intended primarily for the testing of 'flowing fluids.

An object of the invention is the provision of generally improved means for testing a stream of changing fluid.

I have also aimed to nism for liquids the liquid other than the change under test'will not interfere with the accuracy of the tests.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a water softener embodying my invention;

to -water Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic showing of the testing and actuating mechanisms;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of a second form of the testing device adapted to emit signals for the guidance oi' the operator in the manual operation of the softener; Y

Fig. 4 is a top view of a testing device made in accordance with Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line l-l showing the' testing cell and wiper:

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the device shown in Fig. 4; v,

- Fig. '7 is a section on the line 11 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9-is a'section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 5; Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section through a modified form of cell and cell wiper showing means for actuating thewiper;

Fig. ll is a section through a fled form of cell and cell wiper; and diagrammatic showing of a modiobservation cell, photo-electric cell of Fig. 4

further modiuse under particular conditions as after appear.

The invention as herein shown contemplates an automatic zeolite mechanism, while designed for the control of a zeolite softener, will find numerous other uses in the control and actuation of iluid treating mechanism, as, for'example, in the control o! the testing device. is a continuation in part of my. copending application, Serial No.

`369,592, med June 10, 1929.

In Figs. 1 and. 2 I have shown' in diagramshown in Figure l, the

valve 2l, the service position. A brine tank 33 nected to pipe 21 through check valve 34 and to 35 in such manner that when hard water is passed into the line 35 through opening of the valve 23, brine will be forced out of the tank 34 into oi? reagent into the cell si.

' andv upon the appearance ci .fifteen minutes.

driven from a motor shait of the control mechanism in a manner which will presently appear so as to periodically make one complete revolution for the purpose of performing a test. During this rotation oi the shaft a cam lli allows the stero. oi the valve t@ to rise, shutting on the now o water to the cell 3l and shortly thereafter a cam E2 on the shaft d@ releases the piston Eid of the reagent pump, a spring 5o causing the return oi the pisl ton and the simultaneous injection o a quantity Iihis reagent has the property of reacting chemically with the calcium and magnesium salts in the hard water to pron duce a precipitate,

vthough it will oe understood that where the device is used tor a purpose other than `the detecting of hardness .or lorine in the water, any other suitable reagent will ne ern ployeci which will produce a physically perceptible change in the solution in the cell 3l. ln the presa ent instance a suitable reagent is a standard solution oi potassium salts oi non=volatile fatty' acidsioi which corn oil has been found preer= able) held in solution by the addition ot a sugar or glycerine and ltered at a low temperature.

The control mechanism shown in 'Fia'. 2 is eigiective to make periodic tests on the eiliuent from the softener and in 'response to said tests rotate the shaft it a quarter turn when the effluent water becomes hard, thus initiating; regeneration o the soitener. The-mechanism is also effective to maize periodic tests o the eiiluent from the softener when brine is `being admitted thereto brine in the entrent from the softener to again turn the shaft i@ through a quarter turn for the purpose o1 stopping the how ci brine. Thereafter the crine is allowed to stand in the softener tank for a nre= determined period which is automatically measured by the control mechanism at the termina tion oi which the control mechanism rotates the' shait it through a further quarter turn bringing the softener valves into the rinse position. Thereafter the test and control mechanism tests the eminent from the soitener'and when the spent brine hasfbeen completely washed from the scite ener automatically again turns the shaft lo through a final quarter turn returning the valves to the service position.

l will now descriloeV in detail which this automatic actuation oi accomplished.

A flow switch 2o carrying hard water to the softener so the contacts thereof are closed only when water is flowing in the pipe 2G in quantity greater than that required for test purposes. The switch is connected into a circuit 5to, oth and 56o ci a synchronous self-starting timing motor 5o oi? the type used in clocks so that the timing motor only runs when water is flowing' in the pipe 2li, except to open the contacts during a test, the purpose he ingto test the water at certain intervals leased' on the time the water flows. i contact dish iii is carried on a shaft driven oy the timing nio tor 'et and carries a plmality or contraenl E@ adapted to engage a nxed contact @i at spaced intervals, dependent upon thev relationship hee tween the shaft @t and the motor, to initiate test. ln this particular construction the chart makes a complete revolution each hour ci nin ning time so that tests are initiated each time water has flowed in the pipe to :for a total or" The interval can, o1? coursahe regulated to suit requirements.

When contacts es and @i are closed2 the structure hy the valves is circuit I" the circuit between t former 92 which 5Go, switch Gti, wire cesareo is closed between the poles t2 and t3 oi a repulsion motor to, the eld et of which is energized by current owing from electrical supply lines to and tl by way oi lead 5ta, now switch do, wire 5to, a wire 55e a manually operated switch @t and wire 5cc. `The circuit through the poles or the motor is closed through a wire 53o, brush tit on contact dish 5l, the contacts 59 and oi, a wire 2st, contact disks ii and 'i2 which are electrically interconnected, leads 25s and tot, a disir i3 have ing contacts lo and l5 and brushes l@ and il, and a wire 25s. Upon the closing oi this-circuit the drive motor tl begins to rotate, turning shatt is to which it is geared by suitable gearing not shown. l

The contact dish l@ togetherwlth contact disks it, ill and t2, cams iii and 52, and a clutch member t3 are carried on'the shaft it and rotate with it.` A brush is connected to the motor pole @t and is positioned to be out ci Contact with dish l@ when the drive motor is stopped but to engage the dish upon slight rotation thereof to complete the poles by way ci the dish it, a brush t@ associated therewith and wire 25a Shortly thereafter the contact lil leaves the brush l@ breaking the starting circuit at this point. A wire etici shunts around the flow switch and connects with a brush @2a engaging a contact,

ruisr @to on the-disk t2 and a brush 32e connected in to the circuit including the wire 5th engages' the dish t2 at all points except the starting point to insure continuous supply of current to the heid4 @s through a complete revolution of the dit. When the motor tl starts, cam 5l on the shaft cuts ofi the :dow of water through observation an amplifying tube @i in such manner that ade@ crease o illumination on the light sensitive cell causes an increase vof tute output., The light sensitive cell and amplitying unit are advantageousiy enclosed shown at i3 to exclude er traneous light.

The power supply .is alternating from a trans is energized by 'way oi wire 2565, switch til, wire 26E, wire @to and wires .filo and 2id, but both the photoelectric cell and the amplifying triode act as helfe way rectiiiers on opposite sides of the cycle. A condenser serves to bring the two sufciently into phase so that the potential drop over a resistance QQ puts the negative bias on the grid of the tune which reduces the plate current to zeros,v when the intensity of light from the lamp tt is properly ii soit water is iiowina in the observation cell when the :dow oi water is cut o, the injec= ci reagent 'therein has no effect upon the ccgns to appear in the eiiuent from the softener, the observation cell il will necessarily contain ntacts therein contact disk H34 but will pass completely accusa water having a certain degree ci hardness so that when the reagent is injected it will react with the hardness producing constituents of the iv/atei such as the calcium and magnesium salts, causing a precipitation within the observation cell which interfeees with the passage of light therethrough, When this precipitate becomes sulclent to block the light to a predetermined degree, the output from the tube 9i will reach a point sufilcient to actuate a relay 95 caustng it to pick up and close a contact 96, the current concurrently passing through a milllemmeter 81 which gives a visual indication to the operator, The cam 3i which has continued its rotation, as previouslyr described, closing the contact 81, now closes the contact 86. Upon closing the confn tact 86 nothing happens unless the 5 has picked up, in which case current will ilow through a magnetic clutch 98 oy .way of wire 266, a switch wire 268, the'relay contact 96, wires 212i and 269, a contact disk 99, conductor 211,9, conductor 212, Contact disk FOL-Wires 211, 218 and 213 causing the magnetic clutch to engage and tom tate the shaft l5 until the circuit is hsolien at contact disk S64, whereupon the clutch will te lease and the shaft B9 will complete reyolum tion independently. Thereupon a lamp 65 is in circuit'with the clutch 98 through a wise 266,-a wire 213, a contact disk |01, wire 2li, clutch ti, wire 212, contact disk 106, Wire 214, lamp 26, and wires 216, 216, 211, 218 and 210, the burning of the lamp 105 indicating to the operator that the softener is in need-of regeneration. While the lamp IUS is in series with the clutch, it does not permit enough current to pass to hold the clutch in engagement. The operator then depresses switch 101 shunting out the lamp IM and closing the circuit through the clutch by way of wires 266 and 213, disk Ill, wire 2H, clutch 98, wire 212, disk |08, wire 214, a wire 2li, switch H11, a wire 282, and wires 216, 216, 211, 218 and 219, and holds switch |01 closed until insulateda IMa of contact disk |04 has moved beyond its brush to establish the circuit direct from wire 212 ,to 211. The closing oi' the switch N1 simul-l taneously closes the circuit between the polea I2 and 83 of the drive motor by way oi' wire 259, brush 11, contact 14, brush 16, wires 283, 223 and 284, switch 101 and wires 285 and 286, thus cans ing this shaft 49 to againt rotate through one revolution. During this rotation of the shaft it the clutch 88 will remain engaged until the circuit is broken at contact disk 10|, causing the shaft l5 to be rotated a suiiicient distance to complete a' quarter turn thereof and movingthe valves (Figure 1) into a position to close the valve 22, open the valve 23, close the valve 2i and open the valve 25, thereby placing the vel a quarter turn into the haine position.

In this position of the shaft i5 and i softener valves, brine is being fed into the softener. and tests are performed to determine when this crine has completely displaced the water in softener. For this purpose a contact disk it@ 122, a wire 261, the contact S8, a.

' contact with an opposed. contact lll a ing the relay @E to pi carried on the shaft Sil the has a plurality of contacts it@ quent intervals. When brine has through the softener it will apps vetiori cell 31 at ons the c L'P contact the t contact disk l y circuit between the poles through the wire ttc, a tact lll, conductors D conductor 288, disk 1B, contact 14, disk 13, c t wire 25g., With the ielay @o closed, the ofthe contact 86 completes the the magnetic clutch by way ci the contact 99 and EN as. previously described and nia-inte the clutch'closed for a quarter ich throuch establishment of a circuit through the disk lill. This brings the valves or Vthe to a position in which all of the valves are closed holding the beine quiescent softener for the completion of reaction het., the hrine and the zeolite.

'it will he observed that when passed into the softener and emerges i in the emuent line so es to reach the close cell J1, the brine will come through ser in high concentration, Furthermore, this ent will he spent brine contsining calcium and magnesium salts chtey l f i i zeolite hed. This high concentration of e brine will produce a large amount ci prec in the observation cell upon reaction reagent and will obscure most of the light tu the lamp 38, thereby giving e, very high 'tube o put. ln order to chance the test rance and of tect ieiay Q5 its sensitivity dec ine the tests when the valves intake position loy the closing shunt around the relay coils plished contact i 2Q@ and E and resistance it. for the but results from the tube output `l`houle" 1- below a certain maximum which ceco iplishcd by shunting a part of the control resistance liti in series with the lamp hy tva-y Wires 219, 21.5 21?, disk tilt, conducto? i453., c, contact H1 and e. conductor iti-lc to, increasing the illumination on the photc=electric cell 8S and dem creasing the tube output.,

.As the shaft l5 moves "he le, or soaking position, a circ' the power lines through contsct it, the current passing through itt of o, thermal timer designated iisv oy 'way ci' e, wire 292, resistenM 293, dislr and associated brush, cc disk iti associated brush, Viewl and N9. Upon the lapse ci? o i period Iof time, the blade oi the i l tim l will cause contacts l2@ to te c o entes.

wise 259, causing the shaft fi@ to rotate a complete turn, and simultaneously the circuit through the magnetic clutchl will be closed by way of wire 292, the thermal timer blade I I9, contact |20b, wires 295 and 296, contact disk |02, conductors 21| and 212, disk |64 and conductors 211, 218 and 219. Shortly after movements of valves begin a new circuit is set up by current owing directly through wires 266, 213 and disk to wire 21|. The shaft l5 is then indexed an additional Aone-quarter turn so as to open valve 22, close valve 23, close valve 24 and open valve 25 so that water will flow through the softener and into drain by way of the pipe 36. As water flows through the softener, the timing motor 56 will periodically cause the closing of the contacts |09 and to bring about periodic tests on the eiiluent. Since spent brine is' passing through the observation cell 31 during the initial part4 of this test period, the relay 95 will be picked up upon each of the tests so that when the contact 86 is closed the circuit through the-clutch 98 cannot be completed through the contact disk |02. However, when the spent brine is completely washed from the softener, no precipitation will occur inthe observation cell and consequently the relay 95 will not pick up so ,that when the switch 86 is closed the circuit through the clutch 98 will be closed by way of wire 266, switch |22, Wire 261, switch 86, wire 2,68, the relay, contact |2|, a wire 291, wire 296, disk |02, conductors 21| and 212, disk |04, and wires 211, 218 and 219, causing the shaft l5 to rotate through the final one-quarter turn, returning the valves to the service position shown in Figure 1 and completing the regeneration of the softener, disk |0| and wires 266, 213, maintaining the circuit closed after the opening of the relay. At this pointthe ow switch 55 and timing motor 56 again take up the duty of initiating periodic tests on the eiiiuent soft water from the softener. y

The switch 68 is provided to permit manual calibration and adjustment of the light sensitive testing mechanism as desired without in any wise affecting the actuating mechanism for the shafts 49 and I5. By closing this switch to complete circuit directly from wire 56e to wire 264 the lamp 88 is caused to come on, and the effect of this may be observed on the milliammeter 91.

Where the testing and actuating device ispdesired to be used as an alarm mechanism with the valves to be operated manually, a switch |22 is provided adapted vto be thrown to the left facing Fig. 2 to close contacts |23 to a bell |24 or other signal device. With the switch in this position when the test indicates water of more than the desired hardness, the bell will ring during the timev that contact 86 is closed. Likewise, vwhen the test for brine in the wash water is desired, a switch |25 is thrown from the position shown in Fig. 2 to a lower'pngsitionv to close contacts |26 which laces the contacts |99 and in control of the testing time`and the contact |2| of the relay 95 in control of the bell so that a signal will be iven when water free of hardness proj'iducing constituents passes into the observation .'cell 31 and the next succeeding test is accom- Nplished. Referring -.now more particularly to Fig. 3,

from the wash water of the softener, the numerals |21 and |28findicate the electric lines supplying power to the device under commercial voltages, the current passing through a wire 298, a switch |29, wires 299 and 30| anda line switch |3| to energize a transformer |32. Current from the transformer then ows through wires 302, 303, 364 and 305 through a motor |35, a wire 306, contacts |33 of a thermal timer |34, wires 301 and 308, a switch |36, a wire 309,'a switch blade |48 and contact |31 carried on the shaft |38 of the motor |35 and wires 3|| and 250. It will be understood that the relationship between the shaft |38 and the motor |35 is diagrammatic and that suitable gearing will be interposed between the motor shaft and the shaft |38. The shaft |33 carries cams |39, |4|, |42, |43 and |44 adapted to actuate switch levers |45, |46, |41, |48 and |49,

the Iswitch lever |48 controlling the contact |31.

Upon closing of the circuit through the motor |35 as previously set forth, themotor is energized traveling in the direction indicatedby the arrow; that is, in a clockwise direction facing Fig. 3. Thereupon, the switch lever |49 is made by the cam |44, the switch lever |4| is made by the cam |42 and the switch lever |48 is opened by the cam |43. The motor continues to rotate until the switch lever |41 is again opened by the cam |42 current being supplied for this purpose by way of wires 250, 3| switch lever |41, a wire 3|2 and wires 305, 304, 303 and 362. During this movement of the motor, a cam |5| carried thereon actuatesa push rod |52 to cause the iiow of water or other test fluid to the observation cell 31 4 to be established so that the iiuid begins to flow through this cell.- By the same operation reagent is drawn into a pump in a manner which will presently appear. During the time that the motor was running, current flowed through the coil |53a of a thermal timer |53 by way of wires 302, 303, coil |5341, wires 3|3, 3M, aie, 306, 3|2switch |41, and wires 3|| and 250, causing the contacts |54 thereof to open, whereby to permit the motor to be stopped by operation of thecam |42 opening the switch lever |41. Also, upon starting of the-motor, the cam |44 establishes the circuit through the heating coil |82 of the thermal timer y' wherein I have shown a modified form of testing y device adapted to emit a signal upon the appearance of hard water in the eiiiuent line of the softener or upon the elimination of spent brine |34 by way of wires 250, 3H, switch' |49, wires 3|6, 3|1 and 3|6, switch |83 and wires 3|9 and 302.

The thermal timer |53 is a rapidly acting timer and when the contact |54 thereof again closes, the motor starts and rotates the shaft|38 to next position, power being supplied through wires 250 and 3| switch |49, wires 3|6, 32| and 322, contact '|54 and wires 3|3, 3|4, 3|5, 306, 305, 304, 303 and 302. Upon the start of shaft rotation, the cam |42 closes the switch lever |41 establishing a circuit through the motor by way of wires 250, 3| switch |41, wires 3|2, 305, 304, 303 and 302. Thereupon current again f'lows through the coil |5317. of the thermal timer |53 to break the motor circuit at- |54. During this rotation of the shaft |33, the flow of water through the observation cell 31 is cut oli and reagent is injected therein. As before, the circuit through the motor is then -opened by operation of the cam |42. y

`v the motor the cam Y does not aifect thereage'nt pump or the flow of the fluid under thereby terminating test' because of a dwell on the cm |55. Zlio'. e

During the' last period of the shaft |33, the cams |33 and |4| move the switch levers |45 and |45-tothe closed positions.' whereupon current flows to a. lamp |55 by way of a -wire |45, afwire 324, a switch 325, 821 and switch |3 I. A beam of light then passes from the lamp |55 to a light sensitive cell |51, that shown being ofthe self generating type the output oi' which is indicated on a-microammeter |58 connected thereto by conductor 323 and which passes throughan adjustable resistance |59 for the pur-- pose of calibrating the circuit and through the coil |5| 'of a sensitive relay |52 by way of wire 323, the circuit being completed by a wire 33|. So long as the light from the lamp |55 passes substantially unobstructed through the cell 31 or is obstructed therein less than a predetermined degree, the relay |52 will cause the closing of contacts |63 thereof and shunting out a part of a resistance |54 in a circuit including a wire 332, a transformer |55, a wire 333, trugged relay |53 and a wire 334 causing the rugged relay to pick up and move also of considerable importance for the relay switch lever |51 v thereof against a contact |58 which is positioned l in a circuit including a switch |53 which is open during the testing of the water. However, should the light be obstructed beyond a predetermined degree in. its passage through the observation cell, insuillcient current will now through the coil |5| of the sensitive of the contacts |53 in which case the rugged relay |55 will not be energized and a circuit will be established through wire |21, vswitch |55, wire 324, switches |45 and |45, a wire335, the relay switch lever |51, a contact |1|, a wire 333. a switch |12, a wire 331, a relay |13, wires 33??, 325 vand a switch |3| and wire |23, the energization-of which relay switch will move a switch lever |14 and close a circuit between the terminal posts |15 through wires 335, 34| and 342 and transformer |32 which posts ating device. Energy will continue to flow .to the bell or other deviceuntil a switch actuating member |15 is momentarily moved to the right facing Fig. 3 from the central position shown in the drawings, causing switch contacts |11 to be closed, closing the circuit through a relay |18 which circuit 'comprises the wire |21, switch |11, wire 343, relay coil |18, wires 344 and 30|, switch |3| and wire |28, which acts to draw the switch lever |14 to an open position, asshown in Fig. 3, the signal. The ringing of the bell or actuation of other devices therefore indicates that the water flowing through the observation cell 31 and consequently the eiiluent of thev softener has begun to turn hard, and that i regeneration of the softener is necessary. It will be observed that this may be set to give the alarm at any desired degree of hardness.

A signal lamp |13 is positioned in the circuit to connect wires 305-504 and 32|-322 in such relay to cause the closing are nor-v mally connected to a bell or other signal or oper- |35, switch |5|, wire 345, wires 3|5. 335, motor and wires 305, 354, 353 and 302.

The frequency of the tests performed on the eiliuent from the softener is determined by the thermal timer |34 which is heated during the period of each test, by means of the heating coil |32 through which current flows by way o! the switch lever |43 and a switch |33 as heretofore 'described'. The coil |82 acts to heat the timer and cause wsrpage oi the bimetallic blade in such 'direction as to open the contact |33, and upon the completion of the test, the circuit through the coil is broken by the cam |44. 'Ihe timer then begins to cool and when the contact |33 is again closed a further test is initiated by' way of wires 250 and 3||, contacts |31, wire 305, switch |35, wires 305 and 301, switch |33, wires 345, 305, motor |35, and wires 305, 304, 303 and 302. n During the regenerationl of the softener, itis the operator to know when all of the spent brine has been washed out of the softener. For this purpose the operator moves the switch actuating member |15 .to the left facing Fig. 3, from the central position shown, causing switches |12, |33 and |33 to be opened, and closing switches |53, |34 and |35. Thereupon a thermal timer |33 is heated by means of a coil |31 deriving current through the switch |34 by way of wires 250 and 341, wire 343, switch |34, wires 345, 35| and 302. This timer is made to have a, considerable mass -so that a period of time suilicient to wash most of the spent brine from the softener will eiapse prior to the closing of the timer switch |33 thereof which remains closed until the member |15 is returned to the position shown in the drawings. When this switch closes, the circuit through the motor is closed by way of wires 250, 3| I, switch elements |43 and |31, wire 305, the switch |55, wire 352. switch |33, wires 353, 3|4, 3|5, 303, motor |35, and wires 305, 304, 303 and 302 starting the motor and starting the device through its cycle through which it passes in the manner already described with the exception that the switch |12 is now open and the switch |53 is now closed so that the alarm will sound when the relay |55 picks up instead of when it fails to pick up. In other words, when the contents of the observation cell fail to obscure the passage of light from the lamp |55 to the light sensitive cell |51, the spent brine will have all been washed from the softener and the relay |65 will pick up, closing the circuit through the relay |13 by way of the wire |28, switch |3|, wires 30|, 325, 333 and 331, the switch |53, wire 354, the contact |58, the switch lever |51, wire 335, the switch levers |45 and |45, the wire 324, the switch |55, and the wire |21, so that an alarm will be emitted indicating that the wash step of the regeneration is completed, and that the operator should return the softener to service, or means will be actuated for returning the softener to service. Thereafter, the switch operating member |15 should be moved to its opposite position to release the relay |13 and then returned to the position shown in Fig. 3 and the periodic testing of the eiiluent soft water will be resumed. Attentlon'is now directed to Fig. 12, wherein I have shown a modified or optional form of observation cell, lamp, and light sensitive cell assembly adapted for use in the testing of fluids wherein some light absorption characteristic of the fluid which is not under test is apt to change or lvary so as to introduce inaccuracy into the determinations. This mechanism is alsoof value in correcting of the current supply to the lamp. Under other circumstances it is desirable to secure control through relay contacts on either side of a denite optimum condition of the liquid under test. Under each of these conditions a null method is desirable. Lamps |89 and |9| are connected to a common source of power by leads 68a and 31a which may correspond tothe lines connected to the lamp |55 of Fig. 3 with a regulating potentiometer |92 arranged as shown so that a difference o light iiux may be accomplished by. simultaneous reduction of light from one lamp andincrease from the other. Light .from these two lampsv is projected through observation cells 31a and 91h onto light sensitive cells |93 and |94. These cells are connected in series as and thence into the circuit of the microammeter |58 and sensitive relay |62 by means of leads |95 and |99, the leads |95 and |96 being identical with the leads passing out of the light sensitive cell |51 shown in Fig. 3. In other words, vthe lamps' |89 and l9| are substituted for the lamp |95 of Fig. 3, theobservation cells 31a and 31h are sub stituted for the observation cell 91, and the light sensitive cells |93 and |94 are substituted for the light sensitive cell |51 of Fig. 3. The device of Fig. vl2 may likewise be used in the construc tion of Fig. 2 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the use of such cells. It will be seen that so long as the samples under observation in the cells 31a and 9th are uniform,

current will dow inthe lines |95 and |95, since the light sensitive cells are arranged in oppo= sitlon so that only1 the difference in the energy generated in the two cells flows in the lines it and |96. While numerous uses of this combinaition will be apparent, one use thereof inthe control of water softening arises in the case where the water contains some type of coloring matter. Under such circumstances the flow of water would be directed simultaneously inw both cells in themanner heretofore described, but reagent is in-s iected into the water contained in only one cell, as, for example, the cell Sla. It will be seen that under these circumstances the stoppage of light in the two cells due to the extraneous coloring uniform, but the cell ela will precipitate and the current owing in the lines |95 and i955 will be solely responsive to the precipitate or color vformed by the reagent regardless of variations in the natural color of the water.

Referring now more particularly to Figsgf to 8, inclusive, the numeral |91 indicates generally the top plate of a frame adapted to support and carry the various elements of the invention. A cover 20d rests over the plate and a gasket 299s is positioned therebetween to prevent the access of moisture to the area above the plate and the resultant precipitation of moisture on the outer surfaces of the observation cell which might occur under adverse conditions. upstanding cell supporting portion indicated generally at |98 having a cylindrical recess |99 for the reception of a glass tube 29|, a gasket 292 being interposed between the end of the tube and its support. end of the tube and partially encloses the sides of the tube, but leaving a space on each side of for changes in voltage regulation I the output of the light sensitive cells |93 and |94 will be uniform and no The plate has an A housing 299 covers the opposite sacarse in an actuating arm 'a ball check valve 22| and through a bore ses by way of ne tute al through s csi ses into a valve chamber 291 and thence through a channel 299 into the interior of the observation and has a stem @il passing through an o 2|2, spaced nuts 2|3 an 2|4 abutting against the faces of the lever but allowing certain free movement of the lever with respect to the valve stem. The lever 2&2 is pivoted on the bottom of the plate |91 as shown at 2|! and is operated by the push rod |52, the push 4 rod passing through a iiexible diaphragm 2|8 be ing clamped thereto phragm prevents'entrance of air into the area above the plate |91. servation cell by wayof the pipe 42. Reagent is conducted to the observation cell from a suitable source of supply by the pipe 48 and passes through 222 to a diaphragm type pump 223 and' thence through a channel 224 through a ball check valve 225 and a channel 226 into the interiorof the observation cell. The pump 223 is of conventional design and includes a supporting bracket 221 attached to the bottom of the plate I9l which supports a rubber diaphragm 228 and a stem 229. The upperend of the stem carries a disk 23| bearing against the diaphragm and a spring 232' I between the diaphragm and the frame acts to urge the stem downwa d." A spring 233 on the stem 229 moves thel dis "23j through an injection stroke. The lower ,'e'nd of the stem 229 passes through an opening in thelever 2|2 and has spaced abutments abuts in its movement to actuate the pump. The lever is urged jiiia counterclockwise direction by means of a 'coiled spring 235. Thus, as previously set forth during the lrst operation of the motor |35, the valve 299 is opened to establisha flow of water through the observation cell and the disk 23 l lof the pump is moved to a lower position. thereby drawing in a measured sample of reagent past thev check valveA 22|., This is accomplished by a clockwise rotation of the lever 2|2 by means of therod |52 and cam ll. Upon the next period of operation of the motor |35, the lever 2|2 is caused to lmove in a counterclockwise direction closing the valve 299 and injecting reagent into the observation cell past the check valve 225.

An important feature ofthe invention is shown in- Figs. Sand 9m keeping the windows of the observation cell free of accumulations tending to interfere with the transmission of 'light therethrough. In the form shown in Figs. 5 and 9 a rectangular frame 23@ 1 is positioned in the observation cell and carries a pair of blades 231 and 238 formed of spring metal and positioned to bear against the cylin drical inner surface of the tube 29|. This frame ha'sa trunnion 239 seated for rotation in the housing 293 and a shaft 24| connected to the cam shaft |38 and driven by the motor |35. The frame and attached blades move in a direction such that the scraping edge is forward, that is, in a counterclockwise direction facing Fig. 9 and the housing 293 covers the sides of the tube 29| to such an extent that the frame does not interfere with the passage of light through the windows during a large part of its movementA so that the wiping operation can continue without interrupting the light beam.

In Fig. l0 I have shown a construction wherein the walls of the cell are wiped by a reciprocatory the tuber In this movement longitudinally of A valve 299 acts tociose the channel 296 by collars 2|1. VThe dia- The liquid leaves the obses afgsmsrwmch the lever l 11 and comprises means for .means for testing the face of the cell under adverse conditions. also -provided a test mechanism wherein made therein .without case the incoming liquid enters a chamber 242 which has a scraper supporting web 243 carrying on its forward end oppositely curved scraping blades 244 of resilient material, the liquid passing from the chamber 242 into the observation cell by way of channels 245 in the forward end of the scraper. The web 243 is carried on a rod 246 reciprocable by a cam 241 carried on the cam shaft |38 and driven by the motor |35.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a still further form of c'ell mechanism wherein the cell is rectangular and has the windows 248 and 249 and opaque vside members 25| and 252. One end of this cell is closed by an opaque wall, while the other end may be either open or closed. When the cell is set on end the upper end may, if desired, be left open. Positioned in the cell is member v253 carrying resilient scraper members 254 and 255 adapted to press against the inner surface of the windows 248 and 249. 1 The frame is carried on a shaft 258 similar to the shaft 245 shown in Fig. which is in turn actuated by a camv similar to that shown at 241.

It will be seen that I have provided a generally improved zeolite water softener wherein regeneration of the softener is initiated in response to the change in character of the eiiluent, and wherein each step of the regeneration in which liquid a transverse frame ilows through the softener is initiated in respense to changes in the eiliuent so that the maximum eillciency in the regeneration operation is provided improvedv testing obtained. I have also character of the water and improved means for actuating the valves of a softener o r other mechanism as a result of the test. I have providedimproved testing means wherein a change in a light absorption characteristic of the liquid other than that under test may be balanced out so that such change does not affect the accuracy of the determination. I have provided improved means for maintaining the light transmission characteristics ofthe observation cell itself at a uniform point by regularly wiping the walls of the cell so as to prevent accumulation of solid material or air on the sur- I have the frequency of the test is proportioned to the time of ow of the fluid being tested.

While I have thus described and illustrated specific embodiments of the invention, I am aware that numerous alterations and changes may be resort to invention, and I 7 do not want to be limited except as required by the scope of the appended claims, in which I claim:

1. The combination in a. testing device of a cylindrical observation cell having windows on opposed arcuate sides, the windows being of lesser area than the sides of the cell, means for supplying a liquid under test to said cell, means for projecting a beam of light through said cell, light sensitive means in the path of the light emerging from said observation cell and'responsive to said light to measure changes' in the stoppage of light by said observation cell, wiper means rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cell over the inner surface of 'said cell to remove accumulations thereon aecting the light absorption char-f acteristics of the cell, said means being shaped to be positioned substantially entirely out of registration with the windows at some point in its travel.

2. The combination in a water testing device of an observation cell having sides, the windows being of lesser area. than the sides of the cell, means for supplying water under test to said cell, means for mixing therewith a test reagent for producing a precipitate proportional to a characteristic of said liquid, means for intermittently projecting a beam of light through the cell, light sensitive means in the path of the light emerging from the cell to measure changes in the stoppage of light caused by `said precipitate, wiper means movable over the interior surface of said cell into and out of registration with said windows to remove any accumulation of precipitate thereon, and means for actuating said vprojecting means and said wiper in timed relationship to energize the projecting means when said wiper is out of registration with said windows.

3. The combination in a testing device, of an observation cell, means for periodically supplying a liquid under test to said cell, means for periodically projecting a beam of light through said cell, light sensitive means in the path of the light emerging from said observation cell to measure changes in the stoppage of light by said observation cell, a wiper positioned within said cell and movable periodically over the interior surfase thereof to clean the interior surfaces of the ceti, and means for driving said fluid supply means, said light means and said wiper intermittently in timed relationship.

. ARTHUR L. RIGHE.

windows on opposed 

